The outgoing President John Dramani Mahama had some kind words for the incoming President, Nana Akufo-Addo when he delivered his last State of the Nation address in Parliament House on Thursday morning.
Unlike during the electioneering campaign towards December 7, 2016, when President Mahama described Akufo-Addo [Opana] as a divisive character, this time around he said he had worked with Nana Addo in Parliament for 12 years and had “utmost respect for him.”
“Given our history, especially that we have each had our turn on each side of a presidential election, it would seem only natural for us to be considered opponents- worthy opponents is the description generally used in the world of sports,” President Mahama said.
Explaining how long he had known the President-elect he said: “I first entered this house as MP for Bole Bamboi in January 1997. It was, perhaps not coincidentally, the same year that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo entered as MP for Akyem Abuakwa.
"Taking breaks from the business of the house to grab something to eat at the snack bar, Nana Addo always stood at the end of the counter, his signature white handkerchief tucked into his sleeve. “Johnny” he would shout in greeting as he preferred to call me. Incidentally we both served three terms in this house, departing together in January 2009.”
“This is how long I have known the president-elect and worked with him. I have the utmost respect for him,“ President Mahama said.
Adding he said: “In fact, Mr. Speaker, we are all on the same team. We worked together when I served as Ranking member on the Committee of Foreign Affairs at a time Nana Addo was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration."
He maintained one of the issues on which they crossed swords was the murder of some Ghanaian youth in the Gambia.
"It is instructive that as I leave office and he takes my place, Gambia once again is a nation that is engaging international attention."
President Mahama concluded that he was assured by the firm statements by Nana Addo that he will continue the projects started by him as enjoined by the constitution.
“I wish him all success in this regard. As I have said many times already, regardless of whose tenure in which these visions come to fruition, its success belongs to Ghana. They belong to all of us.”
He said political opposition and differences of opinion were vital to the health and growth of a democracy and that political parties were formed when people of similar ideology come together to move their agenda forward in a way that best serves their country.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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So you knew and respected him yet unleased your attack dogs on him. The likes of Omane Boamah, Fifi Kwetey, Kojo Twum Boafo,Ofosu Kwakye, Montie 3 and the others.You called him derogatory names and cast all manner of aspersions on his character.May the God lord forgive us all. Let there be truthfulness and honesty in our body politics.Indeed the battle is the LORD'S.
I HOPE YOU WILL NOT ATTEMPT TO COME BACK IN 2019 TO CALL FOR DEBATE WITH NANA ADDO AT IEA.RAWLINGS WILL NOT EVEN GIVE YOU THE CHANCE UNLESS YOU COME AS INDEPENDENT.
I tot you called him "OPANA" or you now fear something? sagyewaaaaaa,utmost respect paaa?
It is not easy to shoot at an eelephant, the rat you waist time on are now buy one way tickets including those who are closed to you. Is gone and gone forever. You disrespected him since so ddon't pretend we know. ONAAPO OBEY NANA AKUFFO ADDO PRESIDENTIAL ORDERS K3k3 and there will be no p.
keep dreaming Nana will change Ghana and you haters will be shocked.he will serve 2 terms he is the best for Ghana.God is the answer
Nana will also serve one term and follow you, so wait at the corner for him